Dietary supplementation of mannan-oligosaccharide enhances neonatal immune responses in chickens during natural exposure to Eimeria spp

Gabriela Gómez-Verduzco,Carlos López-Coello,Gerardo M Nava,Arturo Cortes-Cuevas,Ernesto Ávila-González

doi:10.1186/1751-0147-51-11

Abstract

BackgroundControl and eradication of intestinal infections caused by protozoa are important biomedical challenges worldwide. Prophylactic control of coccidiosis has been achieved with the use of anticoccidial drugs; however, the increase in anticoccidial resistance has raised concerns about the need for new alternatives for the control of coccidial infections. In fact, new strategies are needed to induce potent protective immune responses in neonatal individuals.MethodsThe effects of a dietary supplementation of mannan-oligosaccharide (yeast cell wall; YCW) on the local, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, and intestinal replication of coccidia were evaluated in a neonatal animal model during natural exposure to Eimeria spp. A total of 840 one-day-old chicks were distributed among four dietary regimens: A) Control diet (no YCW) plus anticoccidial vaccine); B) Control diet plus coccidiostat; C) YCW diet plus anticoccidial vaccination; and D) YCW diet plus coccidiostat. Weight gain, feed consumption and immunological parameters were examined within the first seven weeks of life.ResultsDietary supplementation of 0.05% of YCW increased local mucosal IgA secretions, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, and reduced parasite excretion in feces.ConclusionDietary supplementation of yeast cell wall in neonatal animals can enhance the immune response against coccidial infections. The present study reveals the potential of YCW as adjuvant for modulating mucosal immune responses.

Highlights

Control and eradication of intestinal infections caused by protozoa are important biomedical challenges worldwide
The data of the present study revealed that live-attenuated Eimeria spp. strains contained in the anticoccidial vaccine were effective to replace intestinal replication and spreading of wild Eimeria spp. strains
The present study revealed that dietary supplementation of 0.05% of yeas cell wall (YCW) increases local mucosal immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretions, cellular and humoral immune responses, and reduces parasite excretion in feces of neonatal animals infected with coccidia

Summary

Introduction

Control and eradication of intestinal infections caused by protozoa are important biomedical challenges worldwide. The coccidial parasites Eimeria, Toxoplasma, Neospora and Cryptosporidium are the cause of serious diseases in humans and animals Many of these intracellular protozoa affect the small intestine and produce devastating effects on immune compromised subjects [1,2,3]. These parasitic infections can cause a wide range of harm to the infected host; from diarrhea to abor-. Coccidial infections have been controlled, to a great extent, with the use of anticoccidial drugs; the increase in resistance to many of these products has raised concerns about the need for new anticoccidial alternatives [4]. Development of effective anticoccidial strategies requires substantial knowledge of the parasite biology and host-parasite interactions [4]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion